Vita et Pax School

[Trustedpeanut]

Warning notice served by the Secretary of State for education.
Here;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/vita-et-pax-school-warning-notice

"Considered by The Secretary of State that the standard about the quality of leadership and management has not been met"

ISI Inspection notes "serious regulatory failings" here;

www.isi.net/school/vita-et-pax-school-7209?results=true

Discuss.

Seriously, the children have had the worst part of this whole saga. Is it fair? Is it justified? IF it had gone the way things should have and the Governors HAD carried out their jobs properly, or indeed given up their roles to those whom could, I wonder whether the school would have been "Outstanding". It certainly has the makings. The kids are bright, very bright but why are they just not cutting it in their 11+ exams? Why can't MANY MORE pupils attain and achieve success on entry into the selective schools? Well, it takes a teacher to teach them and it takes leadership to lead the teachers. It takes a Governance to stand by their Leadership and strengthen it, not knock it down. But hey, it's only the future of innocent children, that's at stake here. No big deal to these Governors.

So, Governors, do you mind where your own children end up after University? Then why don't you care about other (fee-paying) parents' children and their futures? It would NEVER happen like this in a state school, then why are you letting it happen in a PRIVATE one?

I guess for these Governors, it's just a social thing. It's far easier for them to tell parents of THEIR school, "if you don't like it leave" or "go and get your child a tutor"!! How rude!! And what a let down and a waste of money after 8 years of schooling. Shame on you all!

Vita et Pax...... more like odi et discordiae thanks to the Governors.

The so called governors can get posts removed from now until the school is closed but that won't alter the truth.

Hi all, whilst you can talk about the school, personal attacks on named members of staff are really not in the spirit and will be removed.

I had never heard of the school. I just read the 2018 unannounced inspection visit and it did not really seem that bad - lots of aspects did comply and things that did not did not seem particularly important things. However I am not a fan of very small schools. You tend to do better with bigger private preps which have been around 100 years+.

Every child is different and finding the right school for your child can be difficult. I don't doubt that the person posting here feels let down by the school and wants to air their grievances.

However, for a different perspective my child is happy at Vita. I am happy with the warm, nurturing environment and the teaching.

The school has had issues as highlighted in the inspection report but it is moving in the right direction. Perhaps it should be allowed the breathing space to do so.

Hello to the governors again!
Parents should be aware of Diocese of Westminster reports, DfE reports, ISI reports and the fact that the next inspection will be from OFSTEAD as Vita has been thrown out of the ISA.

What arrogance to assume that anyone who disagrees with you is a governor, friend of etc.

People have different experiences, I can empathise with your point of view but disagree with the way you are going about airing it.

And in the interests of balancing out your rather long rants.

My opinion is that it is a good school. My child is happy and well educated.

My apologies Miss Gay, I've just been forwarded your reply to parents.

It is not arrogance to assume that your a friend or Governor... Its just common sense, as no one in their right mind would share your opinion, due to the weight of evidence against the school. The school doesn't just have 1 DfE warning against it, but 2. Parents are leaving at unprecedented levels, the ISA have walked away, The Diocese of Westminster report, the revolving door of staff and Headteachers.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm afraid there is a lot more people who can see the school for what it really is, rather than the pretty picture you pretend it to be. Some parents are now confused, some don't even realise things are going on! It's easy to speak up for the current regime if you benefit from it...….maybe 100% bursary hmm?

This is a shorter post for the benefit of HalfLight.

Why isn't the School website up to date?

Any school keeps their website up to date.

They must be too busy...……………………. on here and on facebook posting UFO sightings, pictures of traffic, selfies with z-list celebrities and stacking pebbles.

Xenia you think safeguarding issues are not important? Child protection should always be a number one priority for every establishment that works with children. Quality of Leadership and management not an important issue? Well it seems both issues must have been important enough to the DfE, who issued another warning notice with threats of possible sanctions if they don't comply.

I love how you have a new thought every 30minutes that requires a new repetitive post rehashing things you've already said.

It's like you're a bot with the sole aim of publicising Vita's flaws.

The past is the past, the school has a great new interim head who is trying to move things forward.

Sadly the past is not the past, the cancer that is slowly killing the school is the governance.

Accountability for those who deserve it.You cannot simply wipe away the past inadequacies-that is simply insulting to those whose children had to endure it.A shameful mess.

HalfLight how can something be repetitive and new? Sorry that makes no sense.
In terms of my sole purpose, that is simple, that the governing body and their cronies leave so as to give the school a chance at survival. I think using the term “flaws” is a gross understatement of fact, they are serious failings. When parents are paying nearly 10k a year, even if there were mere “flaws”, that would be unacceptable, but Vita has serious regulatory problems which is, quite honestly, a scandal. You claim the new Interim Head, (or should I say the actual New Head?), is “trying to move the school forward” so my question is how? What has she done to improve the school since she has been there? From what I see and hear, not much, but maybe you have something that you can point to as an example? But I suspect “trying to move the school forward” is just another platitude along with the school being “nurturing” another favourite from the governors/friends. Believe me, some of the stories I’ve heard from ex-parents would certainly not agree with those 2 statements, far from it.
To claim everything is in the past is highly amusing. Really? From what I know and hear it would seem there’s more still yet to come. The school is no longer a member of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) and will continue not to be so and to claim the School will continue its business through the Independent Schools Council (ISC) is just a half truth.
Ask the governors how you become a member of the ISC? Also ask how long they will be members now they are no longer members of the ISA? Also how long before the Independent Schools Inspectorate will no longer inspect the school? Ask if OFSTED will inspect the school instead? Also ask if you could read a copy of the Special Investigator’s, report from the Diocese of Westminster which they denied even took place (although there friends in the PFA knew and met with). Yet, no one else was allowed to meet with her, despite the fact that she wanted to meet with other parents.

If I think of anything else, HalfLight, I will post something in 30 minutes!

@Justa30minutebot - are your children still there? There are so many good schools in the area that maybe getting out is the right thing. Some Catholic and community states are wonderful, some small independents too..

Of course you shouldn't have to leave, but sometimes you have to concede it isn't going to get better.

Trustedpeanut
NotaVitaCrony
Justa30minutebit
Vitamushroom

This question is aimed at the above,
Do you all have children currently at the school?

The glory which is built upon a lie soon becomes a most unpleasant incumbrance... How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and how hard it is to undo that work again!

• Autobiographical dictation, 2 December 1906. Published in Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 2 (University of California Press, 2013)

What’s your point hebbeetc?